About Us

Israel Outdoors is a leading organizer of trips funded by the Birthright Israel Gift

We are part of the Tlalim – Authentic Israel organization and have been creating inspiring travel experiences in Israel for over 30 years. Each year, we host thousands of Jewish young adults for their Birthright Israel Gift. Our travelers come from North America, South America, Australia, Europe, and Asia.

Our headquarters are located next to Tel Aviv’s Ben-Gurion International Airport in the center of Israel and our North American office is located in Washington, DC.

Israel Outdoors is a part of Tlalim, a full-service tour operator commonly known as Authentic Israel. Our track record spans three decades in the field of experiential travel and informal education. People travel with us to uncover the timeless beauty of Israel and discover global destinations through the lens of Jewish history and life.

In addition to our Israel Outdoors programs for young adults, we also offer travel experiences for teens, adults, and families as well as for Birthright Israel alumni

Passionate and knowledgeable guides are at the heart of every Israel Outdoors experience

Our guides are chosen for their dynamic personalities, depth of knowledge, and ability to connect with young adults who come on Israel Outdoors with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Their breadth of experience and passion for education will help set the tone for your trip — and you’ll discover very quickly that our guides are a huge part of your experience.

Itai Amir

Born in Herzelia, Itai is in the process of moving to the Negev desert to help develop the land. Itai’s favorite moment on a trip was when he met his future wife who was working as a field coordinator at the time. When not guiding Itai loves playing with his baby and spending time with his family.

Einav Ayalon

Born and raised in Israel, Einav became a counselor in a youth movement when he was 15 years old, and has continued as an informal educator throughout his life. Einav is married and lives in Jerusalem.

Shakked Be’ery

Born in Tel Aviv, Shakked traveled far from home to live 45 minutes away in Jerusalem. Shakked’s favorite part of an Israel Outdoors trip is sitting on the grass in a park on Shabbat afternoons and talking with her participants. She loves visiting the ancient ruins of Tzippori. When not guiding, Shakked loves to dance! Her specialty is Lindy-Hop.

Gadi Ben Aharon

Gadi was born in Israel but spent part of his childhood in Virginia. He currently lives just outside of Tel Aviv, loves the Judaean Desert and cannot get enough of Masada. When not guiding, Gadi enjoys reading, watching sports and TV shows, and playing basketball.

Gadi Ben Dov

Gadi was born in the United States and moved to Israel when he was a child. He currently lives in Modiin in central Israel. Gadi loves the ancient Roman city of Tzippori with its beautiful mosaic floors. When not leading a trip, Gadi loves to watch TV. His personal favorites are detective shows but often ends up watching Disney movies with his two kids.

Adam Bodenstein

Born in Los Angeles, Adam lives in Tzfat in northern Israel. His favorite part of a trip is taking his participants to meditate and stargaze in the desert, but he also loves bringing participants to Tzfat. When not on a trip, he loves hanging out with his kids, particularly on nature hikes.

Asaf Brav

Born and raised in Kibbutz Ga’aton in Northern Israel, Asaf currently lives in Tel Aviv. Asaf has guided many Israel Outdoors trips, and his favorite moment (so far) was when his group won first place at a Birthright-wide sports day. Despite all of his trips, Asaf will never get tired of visiting the Old City of Jerusalem. When not working, Asaf enjoys playing soccer.

Liat Bussiba

Hailing from Be’er Sheva, the capital of the Negev desert, Liat currently lives in Jerusalem. Liat loves Masada and enjoys practicing yoga at the top. Liat has many hobbies, including hiking, traveling and playing guitar. Her favorite TV show is Game of Thrones.

Libbi Cohen

Born in Ramat Gan, Israel, Libbi currently lives in Tel Aviv. She loves hiking through the desert and says there is nothing like watching the sun rise over Masada. Libbi’s least favorite part of a trip is saying goodbye at the end. When not guiding, Libbi makes art, sails, and couch surfs around the world!

Nadav Dori

Before becoming a tour guide, Nadav worked as a bike mechanic. His favorite part of guiding is helping participants discover new things and having new experiences, and his favorite site is the city of Jerusalem. In addition to Jerusalem being his hometown, Nadav loves its diversity and believes it truly reflects Israeli society. When not guiding, Nadav enjoys biking, cooking, swimming and rock climbing.

Asher Drimmer

Asher was born in Hod Hasharon, Israel, and currently lives on Moshav Thuvut. Before becoming a tour guide, Asher served as the head of formal education in a local school. His favorite part of the trip is group discussions about life and Judaism. During his free time, Asher enjoys spending time with his kids, biking and hiking.

Shimon Edrey

Born in Jerusalem, Shimon currently lives with his wife and children in southern Israel. His favorite site to visit is the Western Wall and is grateful for the opportunity to be there so often. When not guiding, Shimon enjoys exploring new, undiscovered springs. He takes a swim all by himself and enjoys a Turkish Coffee. He also enjoys good books and action movies.

Ran Eliyahu

Ran grew up in Jerusalem and currently lives in Mezaseret Tzion,  a suburb of Jerusalem. Ran’s favorite part of a trip is stargazing in the desert at the Bedouin tents. When not guiding, Ran is a student of business and international relations and enjoys watching movies and reading books.

Irad Fenichel

Irad is one of our guides with the most seniority with close to 100 Israel Outdoors trips under his belt! He was born in Ramat Gan, Israel, and currently lives on the Ein Ayala moshav just outside of Haifa. Irad’s favorite part of any Israel Outdoors trip is visiting the Old City of Jerusalem. Irad is an avid outdoorsman. When not guiding an Israel Outdoors trip, he loves to go spearfishing by free dive.

Tete Greenberg

Being fluent in Spanish, English and Hebrew, Tete has the distinction of guiding our joint USA-Argentina trips. Hailing from Jerusalem, Tete’s best moment on a trip so far was a bar mitzvah ceremony under the AHAVA/love sculpture at the Israel Museum. He loves all of Israel and just can’t get enough of the beach in Tel Aviv! Tete describes himself as “a soccer guy,” loves reading about history and eating good food.

Dima Gohshtet

Dima was born in Chernowitz in the former USSR and moved to Israel with his family when he was three and currently lives in Netanya, Israel. He loves the moment on a trip when 40 individuals become one group and he never gets tired of visiting the city of Tzfat. In his free time, Dima enjoys traveling, going to the beach and spending time with friends.

Hagai Gov

Hagai resides in the city of Netanya, 15 miles north of Tel Aviv. Hagai loves guiding and cannot get enough of meeting new people in a very familiar place. During his free time, he enjoys spending time outdoors and playing frisbee.

Menash Golan

Menash Golan hails from Rehovat, Israel. Menash completed his service in the Israel Defense Force in a combat unit with the rank of leading sergeant. Menash completed his studies on the “Land of Israel” through a program sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism. Some of his favorite non-work pastimes include reading, music and soccer.

Pauline Kelif

Originally born in Paris, France, Pauline now lives in Jerusalem. She loves participating in activities run by participants that demonstrate their experiences in Israel. She loves the desert, especially hiking and Masada. When not hiking with an Israel Outdoors group, you can often find Pauline hiking somewhere on her own!

Uriel Kremer

Uriel was born in Herzliya, just outside of Tel Aviv, and still lives there today. He has guided more trips with Israel Outdoors than any of us can count. Even though he’s visited a million times, he still loves going to the Kotel and climbing Masada. When not guiding, Uriel enjoys watching TV and mountain biking.

Erez Landau

Born and raised in Haifa, Erez served as a medic in the Israeli Air Force. In 2006, Erez became a licensed tour guide working with Israeli youth, Jewish students, and tourists from all backgrounds. When not working or traveling the world, Erez lives on Kibbutz Neve Yam.

Hila Madar

Hila lives in Kibbutz Ramat Hasophet in Israel. Her favorite part of the trip is visiting northern Israel. She just can’t get enough of the Golan Heights and the Galilee. Hila’s hobbies include traveling, dancing and bird watching.

Michael Mashawi

Originally from the city of Be’er Sheva in the Negev desert, Michael currently lives in Ashkelon, Israel. His favorite moment on a trip is when 40 people on a bus suddenly become a group. Michael’s favorite activity is water hiking, and he loves playing music, hanging out on the beach, and salsa dancing.

Ohad Mass

Ohad grew up in the Golan Heights and currently lives on Kibbutz Metzer in northern Israel. Ohad has guided numerous Israel Outdoors trips, but, before he became a tour guide, he milked cows. He loves visiting Ein Gedi and his favorite moment on a trip is introducing his group to his family. Ohad hopes to one day become a zoologist.

Hillel Meyer

Born in Montreal, Canada, Hillel currently lives with his family in Tel Aviv. His favorite part of an Israel Outdoors trip is meeting a new group when they arrive, and he just can’t get enough of the beautiful mountains in the Galilee.  During his free time, Hillel enjoys working out and hanging out with his family.

Batsheva Miller

Batsheva grew up in the city of Haifa in northern Israel and currently lives in Bat Galim, a seaside neighborhood of Haifa. Her favorite moment on an Israel Outdoors trip so far was taking part in a Havdalah (end of the Shabbat) ceremony, overlooking the sunset on the beautiful city of Jerusalem. Her favorite site to visit is the Ramon Crater. When not guiding, Batsheva is working on her college degree and enjoys discovering new places in Israel.

Zack Novak

Born in the US, Zack moved to Israel when he was a child. When asked about his favorite part of a trip, Zack responded “when someone takes a moment to truly reflect on their own and realizes that close to 50 strangers have become a community in just a couple of days. I am still humbled and amazed that this happens on every trip.” When not on a trip, Zack can be found mountain climbing and bike riding.

Einat Nuri

Einat grew up in a small community north of Shomron. She feels very privileged to be able to follow her dreams and believe in what she is doing. Einat currently lives in Tel Aviv and loves hiking, especially in the Negev desert.

Elaun Rave

Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Elaun currently lives in Haifa in northern Israel. Before moving to Israel, Elaun worked at the Gap, the Body Shop and was the overnight manager at the Apple store the night before the first iPhone came out. His favorite site is Har Herzl, as it never ceases to move him and his groups. When not guiding, Elaun plays ultimate frisbee and volunteers for the non-profit Ultimate Peace.

Itay Rotem

Itay comes from Ramat Ishai in northern Israel, lives in Jerusalem and is both a tour guide and a yoga instructor —see what positions you can get him to do while waiting for the sun to rise on the top of Masada! Itay claims he loves every moment on a Birthright trip and cannot pick a favorite. When not guiding, Itay loves hiking, biking and meditation.

Yaacov Shabbat

Yaacov was born and raised in Jerusalem. In addition to being a tour guide for 12 years, he has a passion for photography, which he studied at Hadassah College. After spending 4 years living in Montreal, Canada, Yaacov now lives with his wife and two sons in Maale Adumim, right outside of Jerusalem.

Mark Shapira

Originally from Colombia, Mark currently resides in Hod Hasharon in central Israel. Mark has led more than 20 trips with Israel Outdoors and his favorite part of any Birthright trip is visiting Jerusalem. When not leading an Israel Outdoors trip, Mark enjoys hiking.

Amir Tal

Amir grew up in Kfar Adumim and currently lives in Jaffa. Amir’s favorite moment on a trip was during his first Israel Outdoors trip. The trip conflicted with his college graduation. Amir was sad to miss it so his participants made their own graduation ceremony for him. Amir had not been that excited for a ceremony since his own Bar Mitzvah! Amir’s favorite place to visit on a trip is Tel Aviv. When not guiding, Amir likes to watch and create short movies.

Moran Waysberg

Moran currently lives outside of Netanya on a Moshav. Moran believes Birthright is a true journey and she loves taking young adults around Israel. Without a doubt her favorite part is when the Israelis join the group. Every time she goes to a site on a trip it is like she is going again for the first time — seeing the places through the participants’ eyes. She sees each day as an adventure and loves to travel.

Meet Our Guides (Virtually)

The Israel Outdoors Vision: To share the beauty and wonder of Israel with Jewish young adults of all interests and backgrounds through an enlightening and enriching experience.

Our travel programs are curated to provide significant, dynamic experiences for our participants that will last long after the trip ends. We recognize that each participant experiences the trip in their own way that will be unique to their own understanding of the world. We also understand that part of that powerful insight is gained through the shared collective connections they will build with their peers, their staff, and Israel. Our passion is to provide a safe and welcoming environment to make this happen.

We believe experiencing Israel through physical activities like hiking and biking can provide a truly exceptional way to connect to the land. From the breathtaking heights of Masada, the beaches of the Mediterranean, the forests of Jerusalem, and the canyons of the Negev —each setting offers a meaningful and profound way to understand the history of this country and its people.

Israel Outdoors offers different ways to for participants to experience their Birthright Israel Gift. Whether through traditional touring or specialized experiences, our trips are unified by our commitment to provide enriching encounters with the land, the history, and the people of Israel!